Govt hails Standard Bank for Be More Race
Deputy Minister of Health Halima Daudi has commended Standard Bank Malawi plc for using sports to help raise money for children suffering from cancer.
During prize presentation for the Standard Bank Be More Race at Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC), she thanked the bank for using sports to help the vulnerable in society.
In the men’s category, defending champion Chikondi Mwanyali won the 21 kilometres in 1:04:53.54 hours (hrs), Mphatso Nadolo finished second in1:06:34.21 while veteran Chancy Master clocked 1:07:50:99 to settle for third. Gravazio Mpani and Kefasi Kasten finished fourth and fifth respectively.
In the women’s section Tereza Master won gold in 1:24:22.24, Nalicy Chirwa was second in 1:24:53.55 and Enifa Kapinda won bronze in 1:31:34.62.
Said Daudi: “We are proud and as government, we commend this initiative to donate proceeds from the race to the children’s cancer ward.
“As you know, government has a lot of responsibilities and we need partners such as Standard Bank to help in serving the less-privileged. We urge other companies to emulate Standard Bank in complementing government efforts in serving Malawians.”
Bank Standard Bank head of corporate and investment Frank Chantaya said he was impressed with the number of participants this year.
He said: “Today we ran to give our cancer-suffering children hope, joy and most importantly a chance to live their lives to the fullest. People braved the cold morning weather to join a noble undertaking.
“It was not for monetary reward nor personal glory, but for a hearty cause to give children with cancer their best chance of survival and intellectual rehabilitation through the Learning Centre we will build at Kamuzu Central Hospital.”
Athletics Association of Malawi president Kondwani Chamwala said the Be More Race has developed athletes in the country.
He said: “Standard Bank have been our partner for seven years. We have seen the locals overthrow the dominance by Kenyans. We believe we gonna have a strong athletics team in the future because of the Be More Race. We will be able to do well in continental and global competitions,” he said.
